Costa Rica, the crown jewel of Central America, has it all. Biodiversity. Pristine jungles. Superb beaches. There’s a flurry of adventure planned on this week-long jaunt. You’ll tube the Rio Celeste. Swing through the jungle Tarzan-style. Search out exotic wildlife. Soak in thermal baths. Learn to ride a wave in one of the world’s surfing meccas. What’s not to love? And it’s all possible with just five days annual leave.

Sustainable Travel

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

Each time you book an adventure with Edits, we’ll contribute £15 to the Inspiration Project. That’s enough money to fund a day trip for a local child. Since 2017, our guides have been taking disadvantaged children to see their country’s famous sights and you’ll help us do this more in 2020.

Itinerary

Day 1

On arrival at San Jose airport, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, Studio Hotel in Santa Ana. The rest of the day is yours to shake off the flight and venture out to San Jose (or Chepe, as the locals call it) at your own pace.

Accommodation: Studio Hotel or similar

Day 2

You’ll travel 125 miles this morning, headed to the Celeste River in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Its rainforest and the magnificently blue river are highlights of Costa Rica’s natural phenomena.

Now the adventure begins. Brace yourself: you’ll be river tubing, hurtling downstream through Grade I and II rapids, flanked on each side by tropical rainforest. All to a soundtrack of monkey calls and birdsong. It’s exhilarating stuff and the perfect intro to this untamed wilderness.

Tonight, you’ll stay at Rio Celeste Hideaway, a small eco-friendly resort on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano.

Accommodation: Rio Celeste Hideaway or similar

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 3

After breakfast, you’ll venture further into the ecosystem on a four-hour hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You’ll spot exotic plants and wildlife before you reach the magnificent Rio Celeste waterfall and the place where the river acquires its vivid turquoise colour.

Later, when the sun goes down, you’ll follow a forest trail by torchlight to witness some nocturnal species emerging.

Day 4

After breakfast, you’ll head to Rincon de la Vieja, home to two volcanoes and 32 rivers. Alive with geothermal energy, Rincon de la Vieja effervesces with fumaroles, warm springs and mud pots.

You’ll check into Hacienda Guachipelin. Near to the hotel is a crystal clear river that feeds ten riverbank pools with thermal, mineral-rich water. Soak in the pools, then apply a volcanic mud masque and let it dry before leaping into the cool stream. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat…

Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 5

Carb-load at breakfast. You’ll need the energy for a zip line tour, where you’ll fly through the trees on zip lines, rappelling, climbing and swinging. You’ll cross hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. Proper exhilarating stuff.

Feet back on solid ground, you’ll hike to the aptly named Cauldrons, where steam and sulphur belch from the fumaroles.

Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 6

After breakfast, you’ll head south-west to the paradisiacal coast today. You’re bound for Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s renowned surf spot.

The afternoon is yours to explore your new digs – the beachfront Tamarindo Diria hotel. Take a swim in one of the pools or take a stroll on the beach. Late afternoon, you’ll board a catamaran to explore some of the bays. With a suitably tropical drink in hand, scan the sea for dolphin pods and sea turtles. Perhaps even the odd whale if you’re particularly lucky. You’ll drop anchor for a snorkel or explore a deserted beach while the crew prepare a BBQ feast.

Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 7

Today you’ll take to the sapphire waters on either a surfing or SUP lesson. The barrel curls will beckon experienced surfers, but the instructors are there to guide beginners in riding their very first wave. Fancy another watersport instead? A Stand Up Paddleboarding lesson is an alternative choice - a growing phenomenon that’s easy to get the hang of.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this beachfront utopia before your thoughts turn to packing up ready for your departure tomorrow. Don’t miss the final sunset – they’re truly out of this world in these parts.

Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 8

After a final breakfast, one group transfer will be arranged to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Alternatively ask us about extending your stay in Tamarindo and spending a few more days enjoying all that Costa Rica has to offer.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Essential Info

Visas

Costa Rica

Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during transit. Prior to travel you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (USD14) under the Visa Waiver Programme. Please see here for more information. The same applies to travel via Canada which also requires an Electronic Travel Authority. If you are not a UK citizen please check with your local U.S. Embassy.

Vaccinations

Costa Rica

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and one dinner included

Vegetarians are well-catered for, but let us know of any special dietary requirements before departure

Is this trip for you?

The nature walks occasionally involve walking on rough paths. During times of heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken

The trip may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility. However, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your requirements

Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or a package holiday, the financial protection referred to above does not apply. Our ATOL number is 2582 and our ABTA number is Y0751.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk